Vocabulary
the idea that kings derive their authority from God, not from their subjects, and thus have absolute power to govern
Divine Right of Kings
America’s belief in EQUALITY is influenced by
Jewish-Christian values
This philosopher introduced the idea of the Social Contract.
Thomas Hobbes
the idea that the legitimacy of a government stems from an unwritten contract between the ruler and the ruled; a ruler who breaks this contract by abusing people's rights loses legitimacy and may be overthrown
Social Contract Theory
America’s REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY is influenced by
The Ancient Romans
This philosopher introduced the idea of natural rights – life, liberty, and ownership of property
John Locke
opponents of ratification of the U.S. Constitution, who favored the loose association of states established under the Articles of Confederation
The Anti-Federalists
The intellectual movement of the 1600’s and 1700’s that stressed the value of science and reason over faith
The Enlightenment
This Enlightenment era philosopher believed in the social contract theory and that a King was the best type of government.
Hobbes
a political system in which the powers exercised by the government are restricted, usually by a written constitution
Limited Government
The belief that NO ONE is above the law comes from...
English Common Law
This philosopher argued for the separation of powers in the form of THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
Montesquieu
rights that all people have by virtue of being human
Natural Rights
Direct Democracy
The Ancient Greeks
Free Speech
Beccaria